Portrait Five - Photographer Ali Kate Cherkis- Her Last Days in Stoke Newington, London

by Alice BeggNovember 26, 2018

Ali has that amazing gift that not all photographers have let alone the likes of me and you. She sees things, in fact it's more like she sees them before they have happened, meaning she's there ready with her camera as soon as they do. Definitely an artist and we are very proud she loves our clothes particularly her custom made tie dye playsuit. She is a tie dye queen! We met Ali three years ago now, we lived with her in Hackney for a year and have become firm life friends. I photographed her at her place in Stoke Newington just days before she left us for her next chapter in the states.

Where are you now as you answer these questions?

Sitting in Western Massachusetts waiting for my single chocolate chip cookie to finish baking in the oven.

What do you do in one sentence

I try to be a good person and I also make photos.

Tell us a bit about you - Do you remember the moment you discovered your skill? Was it a teachers appreciation for it, or did something suddenly click in your head. What age were you?

I've always documented everything, ever since I was a wee lass. I started having some " aha" moments when I was living in NYC many moons ago - photos that came from an honest gut place. Photos that weren't forced. Photos that captured moments that combined time and light and human nature in an incredibly lucky way. I have so much to learn, and I'm excited to keep growing as an artist.

Can you tell us three of the most important places you've lived, worked or travelled that have lead to you being where you are today.

London, Buenos Aires and New York City

When did your unique style develop and how?

From my obsessive need to document, and then later on, my need to get closer and connect with strangers. To hear stories. To tell stories.

If you could have your work published or hanging anywhere, where would it be?

Can’t jinx it

Who do you admire the most and why?

My dog Felix. He is the pure incarnation of love. He is always in the present moment, for he does not understand time.

Have you any exciting projects on the horizon?

I just returned home to the mountains of Massachusetts after three years in London.

So I’m planning out a project about the thing I’m most scared of photographing, which is home. What it means to be from here, and what this place means in the context of America as a whole.

What do you like about H&B clothing?

I feel like an Individual in H&B. It’s clothing for the person who chooses a different path.

Writing this from Jaipur India, having just been in Nepal raising money for an orphanage with Robbie and his band. It really makes you think about life!

Tonight I will go to a Hindu wedding with 1000 guests, there is so many people on this planet?? Wow at the moment I just don’t know – I think sunshine brings happiness. My great grandma always used to say ‘ If you’ve got health you’ve got wealth’

I repeat that saying a lot.

Why don’t you make any more tie-dyed items?

It’s on the list, we have been in transit since we officially left London in February. We will be moving into our new flat and studio in January and will be getting right stuck in! I cant wait to start dyeing again!

Ali wears our new black cotton flax playsuit and her custom made tie dye playsuit if you want one of these email us info@humphriesandbegg.co.uk and I’ll start doing them again in February.